Gaudreau signing a feather in the cap for Columbus, Blue Jackets

Sean Kuraly admits there were moments when he began to think he might be crazy.
Sure, the Dublin native and Blue Jackets center is a bit biased about the virtues of his hometown. But as he looked at Columbus and saw a committed hockey fanbase, an excellent facility in Nationwide Arena and a growing, vibrant community, he at times wondered why others in the NHL couldn't see what he did.

From the high-profile departures of top players over the past few seasons to the fact the Blue Jackets were rarely mentioned when big-ticket free agents hit the market, the organization was forced to fight against the vibe that Columbus wasn't a desirable place to play in NHL circles.
Now, Kuraly has to worry no longer. Simply put, the addition of the biggest free agent on the market, former Calgary star Johnny Gaudreau, on a seven-year contract signed Wednesday was a game-changer for those in the organization.
And a bit of validation for someone who grew up here like Kuraly.
"You feel a little extra proud of our city at that time," he said of Gaudreau's signing. "We all know (what Columbus has to offer). Sometimes you're wondering if we're just biased or what the heck is going on, but it's starting to gain some legs -- and rightfully so. People are realizing that it's a great place to be, a great place to live.
"You really feel a sense of pride in your city when something like this happens."
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It's a narrative that the Blue Jackets front office has pushed back against in recent years, even if it didn't always want to acknowledge it. For those who live in the capital city, one that has grown in spades over the past three decades and is expected to have 3 million people in its metro area by 2050, there's always been a lot to like.
Columbus has built a committed fan base that seemingly always has Nationwide Arena rocking, and the Blue Jackets are in the midst of a reset that has stocked the cupboard with impressive young talent. Off the ice, from restaurants to attractions, there's a lot to like for both young players just breaking into the league to veterans looking to settle down with families.

Yet the free agency losses of Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Matt Duchene in 2019 led to questions, and the 2021 trade request of Pierre-Luc Dubois and the summer decision of Seth Jones to reach unrestricted free agency did little to stem those worries among some.
While visiting media and former players have often sung the praises of central Ohio, others just couldn't help but wonder why Columbus had trouble retaining players -- a constant source of irritation for general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
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"I made a comment earlier that I get a rash every time I hear the negative comments about Columbus," he said Thursday at Gaudreau's introductory press conference. "It's so unfair because we have a great organization, we have a great city, we have an unbelievable facility that will be even better after we get through (a current renovation). ...
"Columbus is a great city. We have a great organization. We have a great head coach. We have a good team, and we are going to keep getting better."
Those things certainly seemed to catch the eye of Gaudreau, who said he did his homework when he started to think about where he'd like to sign long-term after eight full seasons in Calgary. More than that, word of mouth seemed to play a huge part in the six-time All-Star's decision.
He's friends with former Blue Jackets player and current Columbus resident Cam Atkinson and grew up with CBJ wing Eric Robinson, and both had nothing but good things to say about the capital city. He also remembered positive conversations with CBJ stalwart Zach Werenski when the two played together on the U.S. World Championship team in 2019.
Gaudreau acknowledged that one of the things he was looking for in free agency was the chance to move closer to his New Jersey roots, and as he pored over the options, Columbus checked off a lot of boxes while being close enough to home to be a fit.
"I've gotten to play here many times, and every time I played here, the fans are into it," he said. "They have a lot of buzz in the arena, so I was really excited about that. They have a good young group here. I think that attracted me a little bit, too.
"My wife and I thought it was a really good fit for us. We looked at some similar options, but I think this was the best one for us personally and where we're at in our life. It just made the most sense."
Werenski has heard those in the past who have disparaged Columbus -- not to mention those who have come out of the woodwork after Gaudreau's decision -- but has never given the comments much heed. The Detroit native has been an outspoken proponent of central Ohio and put his money where his mouth was last summer when he signed a six-year extension to stay with the Blue Jackets through his prime.
"To be honest, I don't really care what people say about Columbus," he said. "I know what Columbus is and I know how much I enjoy it. I want the whole world to know how great it is. But it's one of those things where people are going to talk and say, 'Why didn't you go there?' And this, that and the other things. It seems like all these people who have bad things to say, and 99 percent of them haven't been to Columbus, haven't seen a game, haven't seen the suburbs.
"I understand what people say about Columbus, but I love it, and I know Johnny Gaudreau is going to love it. We're building something now where that (old) narrative is going away and players are starting to realize how special it is to play in Columbus."
As Werenski pointed out, word travels fast in hockey circles, and time will tell the impact that Gaudreau's decision will have on the Blue Jackets going forward. But to those in the organization, it's a statement that Columbus is a place to be.
"He chose to come here," head coach Brad Larsen said. "The decision that he chose us, this organization, this city, to grow his family and really come in during the prime of his career, it's a big statement. It really is. It shows his belief in what we have going on here."